INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) DII Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) announced Tuesday that Ronnie Johnson, a member of the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) softball team and current President of Arkansas-Monticello’s SAAC, will serve as the Great American Conference representative for the National Board starting in January.
“It’s an honor and privilege to represent the Great American Conference as a DII National SAAC Representative,” said Johnson. “I look forward to bringing the GAC’s views to the national committee and continuing to advocate for student athletes here at UAM, in our conference, and across the nation.”
SAAC serves as the primary governance arm representing student-athlete interests in Division II affairs. SAAC members serve as student-athlete liaisons who monitor and discuss happenings on campuses, within conferences, and at the national level.
Division II SAAC members also serve as voting members of several Division II committees, including the Management Council and the Executive Board. The SAAC also has voting authority during the Division II Business Session at the annual NCAA Convention.
“Ronnie has been an amazing ambassador not only to UAM but to her peer Athletes as well,” said Senior Woman Administrator and Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance Catie Tapp. “I am so proud of her, her ambition, and her passion for the Student Athlete Voice and the future of the NCAA and collegiate athletics everywhere. I know Ronnie is going to represent UAM and the Great American Conference well!”
Only one athlete from each of the 23 conferences is selected to the National SAAC Board. This makes Johnson’s nomination, application, and selection to serve as the Great American Conference representative an amazing accomplishment!
“We are extremely excited about Ronnie being selected for this prestigious role,” said UAM Director of Athletics Hud Jackson. “She is a great example of what it means to be a student athlete, and she’s a great example of what it means to love a university and want to do everything to represent it in a positive way. She will be a great ambassador for the entire conference, and she will be a great representative on that national board. Super proud of her and super proud of Catie Tapp for her guidance in this process.”
Johnson will assume her two-year tenure as the Great American Conference Representative in January 2026.
